Copyholder



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 c. R. DRAKE ET AL COPYHOLDER Filed April 2, 1927 .A wel; ArToNEYS Apnl 2, 1929.

April 2 l929- c. R. DRAKE ET AL COPYHOLDER Filed April 2', 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f v i Zak ATToR EYs April 2 1929 c. R. DRAKE ET Al.

COPYHOLDER Filed April 2, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIII l i V Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. DRAKE AND JOHN HEBERLING, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, .ASSIGNORS TO THE LINE-A-TIME MFG. CO. INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COPYHOLDER.

Application led April 2,

Our present invention relates to copy holders and particularly to copy holders of the kind used in connection with and for transcribing upon typewriters wherein the copy holding means is disposed at the rear of the typewriter and forwardly extending bracing and operating means project at the side of the machine. Such copy holders embody either a stationary copy plate and a relatively movable line indicator which follows down the copy or a movable copying plate associated with a fixed line indicator. In either case the relative movement of the elements is effected with a step-by-step motion through suitable actuating mechanism. Our invention has for its object to improve this actuating mechanism. The improvements are directed in part toward providing means the regulation of which affords the operator greater or less mechanical advantage in operating the copy holder; toward providing adjustments whereby the operating mechanism is made convenient to the touch of the operator under different conditions and in differ-ent positions of the copy holder and toward provisions whereby the actuating mechanism in general is made to work more smoothly and without shock.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

Tn the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation taken in section through the side arm of a copy holder constructed in accordance with and illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view in horizontal section through the supporting frame on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side view;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section through the upright frame in the same plane as Figure 2 showing the 'folding arrangements of the frame and side arm;

Figure 5 is a detailed rear view of the universal joint between the operating lever and the actuating lever;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section of certain controlling means t'or the actuating lever;

1927. Serial No. 180,484.

Figure 7 is a side view of said mechanism taken in section on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure S is an enlarged detailed perspective view of an element of the universal joint between the operating and actuating levers;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of the operating lever;

Figure l0 is a similar view ot the cooperating end of the actuating lever, both levers in Figures 9 and l0 being shown in their assembled relationship;

Figure ll is a detailed fragmentary perspective of one element of a joint in the actuating lever Figure 1Q is an enlarged section through the operating lever on the line 12-12 of Figure 3;

Figure '13 is a top plan view of the operating lever and a fragmentary view of the side arm showing the position of the finger key d ilferent from that shown in Figure 2;

Figure lf-lis a section on the line lli--ltv of Figure 6; and

Figure l5 is a section on the line 15-15 of Figure t3.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

lll/Ye have illustrated our invention in the present instance and will describe it as applied to the familiar type of copy holder, embodying the stationary line indicator and a movable copy plate. Referring more particularly to Figures l and 3, l indicates the copy plate having a paper clip or clasp 2 at the top thereof and movable vertically upon guide rods 3 on an upright supporting frame 4. rl"he supporting frame. in the present instance. consists of a plate embossed rearwardly at 5 and having forwardly extending flanges at its edges. lt is secured at the bottom to a heavier reenforcing base plate 7 while the flange at the top forms a sliding bearing for a. lifting rod 8 carried on the back of the copy plate. A lifting clutch 9 arried by a reciprocatory clutch rod l() engages the rod 8 above the frame while an independently supported holding clutch ll engages the rod 8 below the frame. The clutch S); as the clutch rod l0 is raised, raisesthe copy plate and while it is returning to initial position the clutch 1l maintains the plate against retrograde movement so that a stepby-step upward advance of the copy plate past a stationary line indicator 12 disposed across its face and suitablyv supported by the frame 4 is ei'ected. When the clutch rod l0 is abnormally depressed or lowered it' releases both clutches and the plate Ylalls to a lowermost position. It is shown in a partially raised position in the iigures. The toregoing mechanism is well known in the prior art and our present invention is con Herald with it only in a general way for which reason the parts have been illustrated largelv dotted lines. lt is the actuating mecha; for this clutch mechanism that our presk invention deals with.

The frame and copy plate are held ere-ct at the rear of a typewriter by a forwardly extending side arm 13 that lies at the side of the typewriter. Through a yoke 14 at its rear end it is pivoted at 15 to a votre lo (Fig. l) projecting from the side ot the ma in frame 4 adjacent to the base plate 7. 'lo reduce the bulk of the copy holder tor shiplnent or storage the side arm may, by this means, be folded across the tace ot the i; 'u trame and copy plate as shown in Figure Pivoted to the side arm at 17 is an mperating lever 18 the forward end oi' whicn carries` a handle or finger key 19 that projects tor accessibilityv and convenience to the operator adjacent to the key hoard oi the typewriter. The particular construction ot' this ting-er l-:ey will be later ret'erred to.

The rear end ot the operating lever 18 is operatively connected to the outer end ot a relatively angular-ly disposed actuating 2() to which the lower end ot' the clutch rod l() is pivoted at 21. This actuating ,lever is a lever of the second order being pivoted to he main supporting trame plate 4 at 1t will therefore be seen that by depressing the operating lever 18 the copy plate 1 will be raised one step through a consequent raising ot the actuating lever 2() and the clutch rod l()A The degree ot raising movement is limited b v a suitable stop device 251 on the main Ytrame controlled by a thumb nut 24 and which tl e actuating lever 2O engages. A tter the depression of the operatingl lever all ot' parts including the clutch t), rod 10, .f `ctnat ing lever 2O and operating lever 18 return to normal position through the influence of a spring 25 acting upon the actuating rod. Lifting or upward pressure on the operating lever 18 reverses the actuating lever 20 and pullI downwardly on the clutch rod l0 releasing both clutches and permitting the copy plate to fall. A spring 26 on the holding clutch is superior in its action to the spring so that the clutch is tripped only by i: sitiv downward pressure.

Referring now more particularly to Fig'- ures 8, 12 and 13, the linger key or handle 1i) is tubular to slidably receive telescopically the end of the operating rod 1S which may be graduated at 27 to indicate various stop positions in the relative adjustment. The hey is secured in these various positions by the tightening ot a bolt 2S passing through ears 29 on the under side ot' the he;Y wlurehy it clamped to the lever. This arrai'igcnient principally tor the purpose ot lengthening or shortening' the lever to bring iti where it belongsv be: ie the hey hoard ot the typewriter att the copy plaie has been disposed at the desired distance d the machine. ,lt is also iret'ul. ho\\,'c\.'c=f. in reguiatino the LHmuch" die yperation oi the copyv holder, that is7 regaining the necessary pressure ot the hand 19 to raise the copy on the key to the dcfired distance as the leverage is increased or decreased according to the position ot' the key.

ln either case this change leverage or in mechanical advantage to the operator occurs. To compensate t'or i and as a part ot the mechanism tor regulating the touch we make the returning spring 25 for the actuating lever arljustahle, and in doing s arrange an improved means tor limiting the returning moement and ahsorhing the shock thereot'.

As shown in Figure i4 the pivot screw of the actuating lever 2t) is a shouldered screw having a lock nut t) on the rear side of the trame plate 4. Turnirg on this lever is a stop plate 31 havingl a stginental arm 32 (Figure 6). The lower end of the spring 25 is connected at 33 to a lever 34 pivoted io the stop plate at 35. This lever is guide-:l in a slotted tlange 35" on the arm and provided with a locking projection 3G cooperating` with a plurality oi stop openings 3T in the stop plate arm. Through the adjiiistment or this lever the tension ot the spring 25 is regulated. The stop plate itseltE is prevented Y.trom being turned on its pivot by this spring in a manner later described.

The stop plate SE1 has the general torni of a bell crank lever and the upper arm thercot' is provided with a preferably rubber covered limiting stop pin 3S which halts the newnward movement ot the actuating lever 2t) and defines its normal position. To tahe the shock of the impact of the lever with the pin atter an actuation the other arm 39 of the bell crank stop plate is provided with a spring plunger 40. This shock absorbing device in the present instance consists ot a headed screw 41 passing through an opening in the side flange 6 ot the supporting trame plat c 4 and threaded into ears 42 on the stop plate arm 39. A compression spring 43 surrounds the screw between the arm and the frame flange while the threads ot the screw permit the compression of the sl'iring to be regulated from the exterior to vary the shock absorbing action. lt is this shock absorbing plunger, or, more. particularly, in the present instance. the hear. ot the screw 41 that stops upward swinging movement ot the stop plate llt) 31 under the action of the spring 25 w'hich it is utilized to adjust.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 5 and 8 to ll it is obvious that inasmuch as the operating lever 18 and the actuating lever 2t) turn in different planes, some provision must be made to compensate for the divergence of the arcs that they describe. For this purpose we have devised a very simple and effective universal joint between the two levers. The cooperating extremity ot' the operating lever 1S is p rovided with a longitudinally projecting pivot 44 and the companion end ot the actuating lever 20 is provided with a similar pivot These cross each other as shown in Figures 9 and 10 and occupy relatively angular upper and lower bearings 46 and 47 in a bearing block 48. Each pivot both turns and slides in its bearing in the block which floats bctween the two levers and adapts itself to the arcs of both. Each lever prevents its disengagement from the other once their pivots are in place which makes assembling a simple matter without the use of tastenings.

The folding of the side arm 18 and its operating lever also necessitates a provision t'or folding movement with respect to the connection between the two levers. For this purpose We, in the present instance. provide a knee joint in the actuating lever 20 the pivot or pintle ot' which shown at 49 is aligned with the pivot 15 between the side arm 13 and the main frame 4. The joint is constructed in a manner clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cooperating knuckles 50 and 51 being angled ott at their ends to permit folding ot the actuating lever at this point only in a torward direction and locking against movement in the opposite direction that would result in the universal joint coming apart.

IVe claim as our invention:

1. In a copyholder, the combination with a supporting frame and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon for relative movement, ot mechanism for imparting a step-bystep movement to one of said last mentioned elements embodying an actuating lever and an operating lever. a spring tor returning the actuating lever after each operation. means tor varying the leverage of one of said levers and means for varying the tension ot the spring accordingly.

Q. In a copyholder, the combination with a supporting frame and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon tor relative movement, ot mechanism tor imparting a step-bystep movement to one of said last mentioned elements embodying an actuating lever and an operating lever, a spring tor returning the actuating lever after each operation, an adjustable finger key on the operating ever tor varying its leverage and means tor varying the tension of the spring accordingly.

3. In a copyholder, the combination i Yith a supporting frame and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon tor relative Inovement, of mechanism for imparting a step-bystep movement to one of said last mentioned elements embodying an actuating lever and an operating lever, a spring tor returning the actuating lever atter each operation, a tubular finger key adjustable on the operating lever to vary its leverage and means tor varying the tension of the spring accordingly.

4. In a copyholder. the combination with a supporting traine and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon for relative movement. ot mechanism for imparting a stcp-by-stcp movement to one of said last mentioned elements embodying an actuating lever and an operating lever, a spring for returning the actuating lever after each operation. means tor varying the leverage of one ot' said levers and means for varying the tension ot' the spring accordingly, embodying a lever connected to the spring and a relatively tiXed stop plate with which the lever cooperates.

5. In a copyholder. the combination with a` supporting trame and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon tor relative movement, ot mechanism tor imparting a step-by-step movement to one of said last mentioned elements en'ibodying an actuating lever and an operating lever. a spring for returning the actuating lever after each operation. means tor varying the leverage ot' one ot said levers and means tor varying the tension ot the spring accordingly` embodying a stop plate mounted on the pivot of the actuating lever, a lever pivoted to the stop plate and connected to the spring and interlocking with the stop plate in different positions. and a limiting stop on the stop plato t'or halting the return movement ot the actuating lever.

(i. In a copyholder. the combination with a. supporting trame and a copy-plate and line indicator mounted thereon tor relative movement. of mechanism for imparting a step-by-step movement to one of said last mentioned elements embodying an actuating lever and an operating level'. a spring tor returning the actuating lever att'er each operation.r means tor varying the leverage of one ot said levers and means tor varying the tension ot the spring accordingly. embodying a pivoted stop plate, a lever pivoted to the stop plate and connected to the spring and interlocking with the stop plate in ditterent positions. a limiting stop on the stop plate tor halting the return movement ot the actuating lever, and a shock absorber cooperating with the stop plate to resist movement' imparted to the latter by the actuating lever through the limiting stop.

7. In a copyholder., the combination with a supportinflr traine and a copy-plate and line indicator monnted thereon lor relative movement, ot mechanism for imparting a llt) y Ai eey li nient. i "iii tor innxinrting' n sterhy-st p tf Vl:ne ai Seial lest tioned ehnen; i zietraitnjg' levei; :i :i n

ing' ivith the Sie# /1 :orliei' eeenerntim'einent white tf i'eii Y iinniictefl te the latter l". throng-1h the liniitii 1' sien.

9. ln n eeiijfhel-ng the eenilnnntnn with :i Supporting 'traine :intl :i sony-plate intl line inilienter nifninteai thereon tez' .relative movement, et nieehnnie'in ter iniliai'tingg; :i step-liy-step nun/nent 'e ene et f zii l lmet lnentif neil elen is en'iheelving :in :ietzintine' leven n. ssp il returning the l n Jell i'i'nnll pi'vnieil en the zixii; el the :ieintine' level' zinfl having' :i limiting' step en one thereet for halting;Y rrg-tnri nifvenient nl" the netnzitiiif lever :intl i nini-el; elken-lien eenperziting' with the, other zii'zn et the bell eranl: te resist nievtnent inniin'tel tn the lritter hy the netnntingj lever throiiifh the liini jij Stein. llln In zi enptvhnltler. the emnliiniitien with n nnpim'ting 'rnnie having' :a fiiile thingie :intl :i

ennj-,i-ililne :intl line inilientfn' inennteil there-- en ter relative inm'enient. et nieehiinisin for l iiniinrtinej :i Step-h v-S'ep nim'eniert te lTine of s: nl lest i entinneil elements ein ving :in iielnzitine' lever, :i spring' ter returning; the l." ter, :i l'ell crunk leve Y,ivetml (in the 'l'rlinie :zml having n, limit ing); et-:ip en one :n'ni then et' lnr halting' return nievenient et the netn- :iting lever` :mel :i flhoek :ilworher enniierntine' with the other :U'ni et the hell ernnk t0 reniat ineveinent iinginrteel tfi the hitler liv the netniitin; lever thrnnfrh the limiting' Steg. fluid vhf-elk alifierlier enihnilying :i Sinin iiliinger evteniline; threnlgjh the lnnge et the suine: r1'- inf: trainey unil lnivief'j :i nin'iiigv tensioning (leviee neeesfiilile 'ter niljnstnient trnin the eliigeflite Qiile ot the ll ,i ll. lin n eenvlinhle :innn'ijht i iiiveteil therein feit ('-Xtenileil operan tim. :termini the nliite :intl e. line i 'l'i'nine 'tur relntii'e in fiar imparting' :a rftei ene (it snil l ing' en ae ie min nnniinn vfith eie mile #lil freni within in i "nlilei ,i

LAie 'freine iini'l :i empi# nziitfzr nieiniteiy en the ement7 (if inefglninistn '-fistei) nieveinent te nient i' Y mating lever eten ling neiesS the fue@ f the traine :intl having u knee-joint aligned with the pivot of the tranne and side :irnn nn epernting lever pivntefl en the Side sirni, and n universal joint connecting the tvve levers between the pi vot et the i'iperating lever nini the linee-joint et the netnnting lever.

lf2. ln :i eepjvhnliler, the mnhinntinn ivith neming); tra e :unl r 'inv-ptite :intl line iinlientnr ninnntei'l :herren ter relative ninveinenL ol ineelizinieni ter imparting .'i stepliy- :iep movement tn une nl' :will le. mentioned elements einhellig/ing; zin :ietnitingi lever and :in npernting' lever`r zn'rnngei! nngnilzirly to esieh ether unil hiivin pivnl ext-enxinns :it tl i ends, :intl si henrii n' hleel: nai' i-'T relai- 1 F Tia l iiveiv i nlzir lieu :ingcil .In (litterunt pleinesY to .Qzlnmlil` rotatably reeelve the respective pivot ex e215 ersy :unl eenetitnte n nnivei ing thein fer movement.

13. lin si eepyhnliler, the eeniliinntion with n Supporting lrfiine unil n copy-plate nntl iney inilientnr ninnn eil therenn for relative nievernent, et nieehnninin for imparting' :i Step h v step ninven'ient te one et sniil lasst-inentieniwl elementi: inelntlinn' :in :ietnnting levert` resilient ineens; tot' returning' the :ntnziting lever latter ein-,h operzitinin a lin'iitin,er stop ter will leven nnil eneliieningi; nieiinf: supporting sind limitiiv Step tin' eihfwnrhine; the iinpziet nl will lever vvith snifl steif..

14. In e. Coiiyholder, the emnhinnt inn with :i snippertinif frnnim nml n mpv-plate and line infliezitnr inmintefl thereon l'nr relative niovei mi the two levjoint eennectstep nieveinent te one et nniil hilt-mentioned elenientsinehnline' :ini .ringzleveigrenilient` menne for i'etnrni he actuating' lever zitter eiieh niiersitinn, i limiting' sten 'for Sniil lever, n Step plate monntetl for limited pivotal nlnveinent fnrrvini [will limiting' stein :intl i'esilient ineiins nnrnizillv retaining: will Step plate :it one liniit of ite4 n'wveeient, will stop plate :intl lnnt-inentionii'l menne (fnei'ieintiiig te hsorh the impact et the lever with Sniil limiting step.

15. In :1 enpvheltler the efnnhinzitinn with n anniierting'traine1 :unl :i ennguplnte :unil line indie: ter niminte-:l thereon l'er relntive movement, (it niechnninni for innnirting ii Step by step ninvenient tn une et miil lnstnnentieneil elen'ient inelnilinf; sin :ietiitingf lever.. :i Spring 'for returning; the actuating lever zitter mieli operation, n limiting; sten 'ter Snitl lever, n Step plate having lin'iitefl iiivetel movement Carrying @nifl limiting' triep, resilient Ineens tnr nerinally retaining' :senil Step ple-te :it one liniit (it innveinent, fizfl plete .finijl resilient inni: cooperating lo nlisin'li the impact 0l' smal lever with :linifl stun. :intl :in znljnntillle :inehnr fnr snifl spring? nn Hniil Step plate oiriernlile te wir); the len. in there@ t. 

